The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

Cheapskate

Yum to the blueberry recipe and the apples! They look like Braeburn or Worcester to me, eating apples, but as they're wild, may be a bit tart. There are a few rogue apple trees dotted around our village, probably from apple cores years ago, but all the local foragers get there before me and strip them - very bad form! If I ever see wild fruit outside, in common areas so free to take, I only take a share and leave for others, but not everyone's got manners round here!

A xo

FairyPrincessk

Mrs. Chip, good point. I had stopped buying them frozen about a year ago as I realized by weight they were cheaper to buy on supersix and freeze myself, but I haven't priced them again lately. I should definitely do so! Particularly as we're about to do a bulk foods order.

My recipe is very similar to the Blueberry Boy Bait. I often substitute apples for the blueberries which is really nice, although with the price of apples last year that too was getting expensive!

Fuddle, what a find!

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE definately not crab apples, they look to me like what we call 'Wildings', eating apples pollinated by crab apples and as such will be fine for just about anything appley, cooking, preserves, puree. The only way to find out if they're sweet enough to eat is to take a judicious little bite and taste one. They certainly will be fine cooked and sweetened, well found little one, harvest away and live appley ever after!!!!! Boom boom!!! Sorry, couldn't stop myself, Love Lyn xxx.

the_cake

OOh, you are awful Lyn!!

[Deleted User]

Yup, that's me folks!!!!!!

savingqueen

Our primary school is in a deprived area (as is our house but school is in an even worse area) and they are brilliant with uniform. Black or grey skirts/trousers/shorts, white shirts/polo shirts and grey, black or green jumpers/sweatshirts/cardis. They do sell the school logo jumpers. shirts etc but only a small percentage buy any/all. Our kids have a school logo sweatshirt which they wear for special assemblies, school trips, photos etc or when I have run out of clean plain ones. All other stuff I buy plain and pass down from big to small then to a friend.

Secondary school - we are not there yet but need to do serious looking/planning next year as D9S will be in year 5. All the schools from the nearest to all the "out of catchments" have the school logo blazers, ties, sports kits etc. As all will be expensive and some ridiculously expensive, I will be wincing at the cost and think I will start saving from Sept. Good idea whoever suggested that.

However my far bigger worry is the school we get DS9 in to - the nearest is in special measures and not great and would be our very last choice. All the good schools are way out of our catchment, so mainly the people lucky enough to live there get in. However there are always a few places for us poor folk out of catchment and the competition for places is fierce. I don't want to settle for a fairly rubbish school when there are better ones to apply for but what are our chances? All the good schools will require DS to pass their selection tests before we can even think about sticking their name down on the admission forms. We also have the grammar school system so another chance there but their costs for trips etc will be astronomical and we are a long bus ride away with just one bus there and back.

On the positive side, I will do my homework in finding out all the info, going to the Open Days etc and DS9 is bright so if he is willing to put the extra work in (a whole challenge in itself), he has a good chance of passing the selection tests if he doesn't get too anxious (another issue) and sometimes all you need is a big dose of luck to seal the deal.

sorry to ramble, off to bake bread and maybe a quick batch of cookies. Boys having some sort of frozen leftovers (doesn't sound appetising said like that!) and the grownups leftover quiche, new pots and steamed veg so not too much effort involved.

sq:)

fuddle

I was just worried about getting poisoned! Brilliant, brilliant!! Nothing happens like that to me!! I will live appley ever after

It's in a bizarre place in the overgrowth between two paths. It's brimming with fruit an looks like the grass has been trampled on before I got there. Plenty for everyone. I feel an apple and blackberry crumble coming on

Ideas for preserving at all? I'm not keen on freezing though with the possible move.

[Deleted User]

Blackberry and apple jam/jelly, oh yes, yes please!!!!!

Recipes available if you need them, have a wartime one for apple chutney that is really economical and delicious and also a wartime recipe for apple ginger jam which is made with ground ginger and so lovely on breakfast toast in the winter. Will post them if you would like them, Lyn xxx.

StressedOutMummy

Hi, long time lurker on this forum - can I join? All this talk of Autumn is making me very nostalgic. Reminds me of new terms at college and uni and I'm 44!!! Always seemed like a new start to me. MrsLW - I love your posts, you remind me of my fave person!

Knit_Witch

Hmm I think you might be able to make fruit leather as well, which would be easier to transport come (possible) move time!